| Police: Attackers repelled, no hostage taken
By Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja, ABU NMODU, Minna; PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin City
Suspected bandits on Wednesday launched a deadly attack on Iluke-Bunu Community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three persons in an attempt to abduct students writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to residents, the heavily armed assailants, who reportedly arrived on about 40 motorcycles and wore military uniforms, stormed the community at about 10:00 a.m., firing sporadically before heading to Government Secondary School, Iluke, where the examination was in progress.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen disrupted the examination and attempted to force some of the students into the bush. However, the swift intervention of security personnel prevented what could have been a major tragedy.
…No Student Kidnapped as Security Forces Foil Bandit Attack
Authorities, however, confirmed that no student was abducted during the incident.
Speaking with our correspondent, the chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Barr. Zaccheaus Dare Michael, said the swift response of security operatives prevented the attackers from whisking students into the bush.
“Yes, there was an attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, this morning, but we are grateful that security agents responded promptly,” he said.
“I can confirm to you that no one is in the custody of the bandits. Three people lost their lives in the process, including the vice principal of the school. The attackers were unable to march the students into the bush.”
Also speaking about the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Afusat Oyiza Saliu, reiterated that no victim was taken away by the attackers.
“All I can tell you now, in addition to our earlier release, is that no one is in the custody of the kidnappers,” she said.
“Our men are still combing the forests for the criminals. We are working to apprehend them and bring them to justice. Our combined teams are working very hard. That’s all I can tell you for now.”
The attack, which initially sparked fears of a mass abduction of candidates writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), left three persons dead.
Police spokesman ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat said the state police command received a distress call indicating that a large number of armed bandits had invaded the school with the intention of abducting students and residents.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilised personnel from the division, operatives of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and the command’s tactical teams, while military personnel and local vigilantes already operating in the area were also drafted into the operation.
The combined security team engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into nearby bushes.
While preliminary investigations did not establish any successful mass abduction, the police confirmed that three persons lost their lives during the attack.
The victims were identified as Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, vice principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; 70-year-old Mr Sunday Jacob Alhassan; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.
The command disclosed that one of the bandits was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
“The Commissioner of Police in the state has directed sustained bush-combing operations and confidence-building patrols across the affected area, while joint security personnel comprising the police, military and local vigilantes have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing attackers,” he said.
The Police Command further expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged residents to remain calm and continue to provide credible information to security agencies.
…We will not submit to terrorists – Kogi Govt
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has described the incident as a terrorist attack carried out by criminal elements disguised as soldiers, declaring that the state will not succumb to terrorists.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state government commended the gallantry of security personnel whose prompt response prevented a devastating mass abduction.
According to the statement, reports available to the government indicated that the attackers had already begun marching some students into the bush when security operatives engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
“Owing to the superior firepower, professionalism and courage of the security agents, all the students were successfully rescued unharmed and returned to safety,” the statement said.
Fanwo disclosed that several of the fleeing attackers escaped with gunshot wounds, adding that security agencies had launched a manhunt to apprehend all those involved.
He praised the military, local vigilantes, hunters and other security personnel whose sacrifices helped avert a major tragedy, assuring that the government was working with relevant agencies to strengthen security in the area.
“Kogi State will not submit to terror. Criminal elements seeking to undermine the peace and security of our State will continue to meet a determined, coordinated and uncompromising response from security agencies and the Government,” the commissioner stated.
The state government sympathised with the bereaved families and reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Iluke Community as efforts continued to restore peace and bring the perpetrators to justice.
…Edo Shuts 3 Schools over Attack Scare
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state following emerging security concerns and reports of a planned attack on schools by suspected bandits.
The affected schools are Ososo Grammar School, Ososo; Ososo Comprehensive High School, Ososo; and Makeke Secondary School, Makeke.
The development, according to the government, is part of measures aimed at protecting students, teachers and other school personnel from potential security threats.
The closure is believed to be connected with a report currently circulating on social media, purportedly from the Department of State Services (DSS), warning of a planned mass abduction of schoolchildren in parts of Edo State by bandits.
Announcing the decision in a statement on Tuesday, the chief press secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, said the directive was issued by the governor as part of the administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Ebojele quoted Governor Okpebholo as saying that the safety of students and school personnel remains a top priority of his administration.
“The Edo State Government hereby announces – for the information of the general public – the immediate closure of Ososo Grammar School, Ososo; Ososo Comprehensive High School, Ososo; and Makeke Secondary School, Makeke, with immediate effect and until further notice,” he said.
According to him, all academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools have been suspended pending further directives from the government.
The statement, however, noted that students currently sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would be granted access to their examination centres under strict security arrangements coordinated by school authorities, security agencies and community leaders.
The government directed principals of the affected schools to ensure the safe and orderly release of students to their parents and guardians, secure all school facilities and maintain regular communication with the state government, the Chief Inspector of Education and relevant security agencies.
It also urged parents, guardians and residents of the affected communities to remain calm and vigilant while cooperating with security agencies as efforts are intensified to maintain peace and guarantee public safety.
“The Edo State Government assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to address the situation and restore normal academic activities as soon as conditions permit,” the statement added.
…Fear Of Attacks On Schools Causes Panic In Niger
In a related development, there was confusion in Niger State yesterday following rumours of attacks on schools by bandits in the state.
LEADERSHIP’s findings revealed that as early as 8:30 a.m., some people had started circulating text messages to schools on an alleged plan by bandits to attack schools in some parts of the capital, Minna, as well as Suleja, Tafa and Lambata areas of the state.
A resident of Minna, who gave his name as Abdullahi, said, “Parents are rushing to schools to pick up their children because of the rumour; in fact, some schools even sent messages to parents to pick up their children because of the rumoured attack.”
Another resident, Mohammed Ismail, said, “They claimed there was an attack on some schools in Kpakungu. I am just coming from the Kpakungu area now. There have not been any attacks there. I saw students running in the heavy rain in panic out of fear.”
However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, in a swift reaction, dismissed as false and misleading the report that schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse and Lambata areas were attacked by hoodlums
“The Command hereby states categorically that, having visited all the schools mentioned in these areas, no such attack occurred in any school within the state.
“The Police Command urges members of the public to disregard this false information, which is suspected to have originated from mischief-makers to cause panic and fear in the public and school environment,” he added.
The police spokesman, however, said an an investigation had commenced to unravel the source of the false report and arrest the mischief-makers.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, had earlier directed DPOs to work closely with school administrators as part of school protection initiatives.
